$10,000 Grant Awarded to Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution in Orange County

Jan 14, 2019 3:24 AM

Concordia WebAdmin

Concordia University Irvine receives grant for its Latina Leadership Conference

IRVINE, Calif. (January 14, 2019) -Edison International recently recognized the Latina Leadership Conference at Concordia University Irvine (CUI) for its outreach to students in underserved communities with a $10,000 grant. The grant, part of Edison’s commitment to cultivate access to higher education in underserved communities, supports the free half-day Conference for first-generation high school and community college girls and parents to learn how to navigate the road to college. The award marks the first time that the Conference—only in its third year—is recognized with a grant award.

With nearly a quarter of its undergraduate student population identifying as Hispanic or Latino, Concordia University Irvine is expecting to reach Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation in the next couple of academic years. To lay the ground work for this commitment, CUI launched its inaugural Latina Leadership Conference in 2016. The theme of the conference each year is “college is not a dream, it’s a plan.”

The U.S. Labor Department estimates that by 2024, nearly 20 percent of the U.S. workforce will be Hispanic. At Christian colleges and universities, one in three students are first-generation—the first in their family to attend college.

Granted by the U.S. Department of Education to non-profit two-year and four-year colleges and universities—public or private—with a 25 percent or higher Hispanic student population and more than half receiving financial aid, HSI designation allows institutions to compete for federal grants that fund faculty professional development, curriculum development, and student services. According to the U.S. Department of Education, there are about 492 colleges and universities designated as HSIs in the United States and Puerto Rico. In California, nearly all Cal States and half of community colleges and half of University of California campuses have received HSI recognition. Concordia University Irvine would be the second faith-based HSI university in Orange County.

Edison International, the parent company of Southern California Edison, meets the needs of underserved groups by providing grants focused on education, the environment, public safety and emergency preparedness, and civic engagement. For more information about Edison’s community involvement, visit www.edison.com/community.

ABOUT CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY IRVINE

Concordia University Irvine (CUI) is a non-profit Lutheran Christian liberal arts four-year university that prepares students for their vocations—their calling in life. Concordia offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in education, nursing, theology, business, and athletics administration. CUI’s undergraduate program is distinctive because of its nationally recognized core curriculum, Enduring Questions & Ideas, and its Lutheran heritage that provides a thoughtful and caring Christian community that lives out the theology of "Grace Alone. Faith Alone." Concordia is a U.S. News Top Tier Regional University and has been named by The Chronicle of Higher Education as one of the fastest growing private nonprofit master's institutions. The university is part of the Concordia University System, the second largest education ministry system in the United States just behind the Catholic Church. The NCAA DII private university enrolls over 4,000 students annually.

Services

Concordia University Irvine is a U.S. News Top Tier Regional University and has been named by The Chronicle of Higher Education as one of the fastest growing private nonprofit master's institutions. CUI serves over 4,200 students annually.